Community Group FAQs
What is a Community Group?
Community Groups are small groups of six married couples or eight individuals of the same gender that meet weekly in someone’s home for fellowship, Bible study, and prayer. They are for adults of all ages, stages of life and spiritual maturity.
Are there groups that have married couples and singles together?
Starting Point groups are our only groups that contain both singles and married couples together.
What kinds of Community Groups are there?
Married Couples – Community Groups comprised of married couples in the same stage of life (couples without children, with children and empty-nesters) and area of town.
Singles – Community Groups comprised of single adults. Each group is either all men or all women in the same age range.
Starting Point – Starting Point is a 10-week conversational small group where people can explore faith and experience community. These groups are comprised of men and women of all ages and stages of life (single, married, divorced, and widowed).
Are there co-ed groups?
Our only co-ed groups are the married couples and Starting Point groups.
Is childcare provided for each group meeting?
Childcare is not provided, but we do reimburse (at a predetermined rate) for babysitters needed for each group meeting. (Click here to find the reimbursement form)
When and where do groups meet?
Most of our groups generally meet Monday through Thursday evenings, and some groups meet on Sundays. Groups normally meet in one of the members homes. Sometimes the location is consistent and sometimes other group members take turns hosting the group meeting at their house.
How often do Community Groups meet?
Most groups normally meet weekly. Some groups meet for three weeks out of the month and either take off the fourth week or do a social activity together. Due to schedule conflicts, groups consisting of married couples with children often do not meet during the summer.
How long does a Community Group last?
Community Groups initially commit to meet for eight weeks as a Starter Group. After those first eight weeks the group members decide if they want to continue meeting together for an additional 16-22 months. Therefore, the total duration of a typical Community Group is between one and a half to two years.
How long does each group meeting last?
Each Community Group picks the length of time they will meet. However, most groups meet for an hour and a half to two hours.
What goes on at a group meeting?
Though each group differs in how they do things, many groups have a social time in the beginning, then they transition to a time where they discuss the book they are studying and pray for each other. At the very beginning of the group, the whole group decides how much time they will spend on social, discussion, and prayer time (as well as the order in which they take place).
What does it mean when a group “ends” or “multiplies”?
During the term of the group, the group leader will train an apprentice to be the leader of the next group. At the end of the group, the leader will take half the current group, and the apprentice (after becoming an approved leader) will take the other half of the group. Then they will both add more members to their respective new groups, therefore allowing others to join groups with seasoned leaders.
What do they study?
Each group picks their own curriculum to study with the help of their Groups Director (a staff member who guides the group).
How do I join a Community Group?
Click here to find out how to join a Community Group at GroupLink. Click here to find out how to join a Starting Point group
What do I do if I am interested in leading a Community Group?
To find out more about leading a Community Group click here.